Worship The King
He has declared to you, O man, what is good. Micah 6:8
Declared – Context, context, context. Far too often we lift a verse from its culture and history when we apply it to extraneous theological topics. In this case, while it is certainly true that God does determine what is good, Micah is not talking about ethical issues. He is declaring* something about worship. Back up a few verses:
With what shall I come before YHWH and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with one-year-old calves? Will YHWH be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does YHWH require of you . . .
What does YHWH require in order to worship Him? Why, a stage band, of course! And plenty of mood-setting music. A sermon about salvation. A time to shake hands with someone you don’t know. A prayer for the community spoken by one person (usually another shorter sermon). A reminder about the women’s rummage sale. And coffee. That’s worship!
“. . . to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” is Micah’s answer. I wonder how much of our version of worship is designed to cover the lack of justice, the absence of mercy and the failure to walk in His ways. Do you suppose that God is delighted with twenty-six choruses of “How Great Is Our God” sung by people who pad their expense accounts, refuse to forgive the neighbor who slighted them and ignore Sabbath? Just sing a little louder. Maybe that will help.
What would happen if no one came to the worship service (that’s an odd expression, isn’t it?) unless they really did justice (remember mishpat), loved mercy and walked humbly according to His instructions? Maybe all the entertainment would no longer be necessary? Maybe salvation sermons would be superfluous. Maybe there would be no strangers in the crowd. What do you think?
Micah implies something else about worship. It isn’t confined to the sanctuary. When do you practice justice, love mercy and walk in His ways? Whenever you do, you are worshipping. Maybe worship is a concomitant of righteous living. Maybe worship happens when we make Him Lord wherever we are. What do you think?
Topical Index: worship, good, declare, Micah 6:8, nagad
*the Hebrew verb is nagad – to tell, to make known, to explain, to declare.
Peter Tosh – Equal Rights (1977)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHX6LscozAc
Everyone is crying out for peace yes
None is crying out for justice
(2x)
(CHORUS)
I don’t want no peace
I need equal rights and justice (3x)
Got to get it
Equal rights and justice
Everybody want to go to heaven
But nobody want to die
Everybody want to go to up to heaven
But none o them (2x) want to die
CHORUS
(Just give me my share)
What is due to Caesar
You better give it on to Caesar
And what belong to I and I
You better (2x) give it up to I
CHORUS
(I’m fighting for it)
Everyone heading for the top
But tell me how far is it from the bottom
Nobody knows but
Everybody fighting to reach the top
How far is it from the bottom
CHORUS
Everyone is talking about crime
Tell me who are the criminals
I said everybody’s talking about crime, crime
Tell me who, who are the criminals
I really don’t see them
CHORUS
There be no crime
Equal rights and justice (Precedes each line below)
There be no criminals
Everyone is fighting for
Palestine is fighting for
Down in Angola
Down in Botswana
Down in Zimbabwe
Down in Rhodesia
Right here in Jamaica
What about the fact that in Eph 4:11 onwards it states:
He he gave some apostles; and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers
for the perfecting of the saints and for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ
TILL WE COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Yes, walking humbling, doing justly and having mercy are all part of learning to know YHWH and walk in HIS ways, but it takes time……….for some it takes a very long time – meanwhile as I offer the sacrifice of praise, I am also changed from glory to glory because in worship, I behold Him.
God bless
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
You make a very good point.
On a personal level, in 1977, I was very drawn to Isaiah, Bob Marley, and the dialectical thinkers.
At that time, I felt very strongly that Paul had been the one who “opened the door” for replacement theology.
Now I tend to see Paul as an advocate of some form of Jewish mysticism.
And a great tragic hero in literature and history.
Most importantly for me, I think Paul has a lot to teach us about our model of Man.
“…an advocate of some form of Jewish mysticism.”
It’s not Jewish… Jews would not even consider a suggestion that you could be “in Christ” (bearing in mind Paul’s understanding of his ‘Christ’).
“Christ is the English term for the Greek Χριστός (Khristós) meaning “the anointed one”.[1] It is a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Māšîaḥ), usually transliterated into English as Messiah.” (In Christ)
“Self-nullification (making oneself bittel, known as abnegation of the ego) and focus upon and absorption within Ein Sof Ohr: God’s Infinite Light in Hassidic schools of Judaism.” (Mysticism)
Hi Ian and Tara,
I’m open to your argument, but let’s see what we can agree upon.
As I understand it, Paul was a Jewish Rabbi who believed that Jesus was Christ/Messiah.
Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi who claimed to be Christ/Messiah, Son of Man, and Son of God.
They both believed in Yahweh, God of the Jews.
So whatever Paul thought or believed, I think it would have to be by definition “Jewish” 🙂
Paul’s experience of being in Christ could have been the coming together of two things.
His Christian Judaic consciousness and the Jewish “Ein Sof Ohr.”
Paul could have experienced the Jewish Ein Sof Ohr and called it “Christ.”
How would Paul know the difference?
No way.
Hi Michael, We’re sorry for the delay in replying; we got into a really interesting set of classes after we posted and didn’t look back at the site ’til now. This is one of those occasions where we wish we’d thought about what we were “throwing in” before we threw it in!
We wouldn’t normally reply to this kind of issue – it is another one of those conversations that could lead the less well anchored into all kinds of situations. But, we will comment briefly – after this disclaimer.
We would advise anyone who is not incredible strong in their faith not to wander into an idle study of Kabbalah/Quabbalah and all matters pertaining. Primarily, because the internet (the most ready resource solution) does not always clearly distinguish between the different teaching of New Age Kabbalah, occult kabbalistic practice and Jewish Kabbalah. We would also warn folk not to engage in a purposeful study of Kabbalah without 1) a Jewish teacher of Kabbalah as a guide and 2) a sound teacher and counsellor from your own faith as a sounding board.
OK – our statement did not mention Yeshua, so let’s leave him out of this. (Paul has his Christ contradict the Yeshua of the gospels so we must assume they are two different people!)
We have long been suspicious of whether Paul was a bona fide rabbi (with an authority). Various authorities claim that Paul was a convert and, although he does seem to have encountered a wide array of influences within different fields of the Jewish religion, his knowledge of some aspects appears sketchy – and is confused with pagan practice. The Jews say that Paul could never have studied with Gamaliel – that his writing gives no evidence that he was of that class of student. [Of course, it is Luke and not Paul that makes the claim.]
We can possible agree with you that Paul may have been thinking about the kabbalistic concept Ein Sof Ohr (Light of the Infinite), but only in terms that he could see his Christ (and, yes, Yeshua) as the manifestation of that Light – something all Tsaddikim desire to be… but which most do not achieve because of the level of preparation needed. However, in using the term “in Christ” [such as Romans Ch8 v1: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”] Paul is suggesting that people can be “inside” God (which is totally alien to Judaism) and – if he is referring to Ein Sof Ohr – is evidence of his confusion. Orthodox Jews do describe the neshama as a flame, and they believe that the neshama is constantly seeking to return to its Creator and that, when they die, the neshama leaves the body and merges with the Eternal Fire… that is, the fire gets bigger, not that their flame is engulfed by God; they are never “in” the Eternal Fire.
Paul’s “in god” concept comes from pagan religions as far as we can see. But, we are not experts and, if anyone would like to offer an explanation as to how the physical can be inside the spiritual, we’d be happy to hear it.
“the kabbalistic concept Ein Sof Ohr (Light of the Infinite)”
Hi Ian & Tara,
Very interesting comments, but I must get back to you regarding your points!
For starters, I was not thinking of the Kabbalistic concept.
I was thinking of the Infinite Light that seems common to many forms of mysticism.
And I was thinking of Paul as a Jewish Theologian (Brad Young) and wrote Rabbi.
My wife hates that about me, she is very “left brained” and I’m not.
For me, it almost always turns out to be the “same movie” 🙂
and I tend tro make 2 things 1.
Ian and Tara,
What if the words “who are” weren’t there? From my (admittedly very much a beginner’s) understanding of what is in the Greek text, it seems that the words “who are” could be safely omitted from the English translation and that would substantially change the reading.
Bearing in mind that the chapter/verse demarcations are entirely arbitrary, Rom 8:1 follows on directly from the end of ch 7, where Sha’ul is clearly talking about the conflict between the yetzer ha’ra and the yetzer ha’tov. In fact, at the beginning of ch 7 Sha’ul is relating the Torah concept of the laws concerning adultery and marriage to our relationship with YHVH through Yeshua and explaining (using the Torah and Jeremiah 3) why Yeshua had to die so that His bride to be restored to him. Following on directly from this, he states that “there is therefore no condemnation (for those) in Christ Jesus”. Who are “those”? Those who were married, divorced and are now betrothed to be remarried to Him that was raised from the dead i.e. scattered/dispersed Israel (not Yehudah) and all those grafted into Israel through Yeshua (you and me).
I don’t see any conflict here. I can understand why Sha’ul’s writings are mistrusted by the Jews, because they have been so badly messed with by the translators with specific theological presuppositions and agendas. When you put Sha’ul back into its proper Torah concept (realizing that he was writing to Jewish congregations who were intimately familiar with both the Torah of Moshe and the rabbinic writings of the day) a whole different picture begins to emerge.
Just a thought guys.
I see being “in Christ” all over the OT. If you do a simple word search for shield you’ll come up with things like; Ge 15:1 After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Ps 5:12 For thou wilt bless the righteous; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as with a shield.
Skip pointed out some weeks ago that the Spirit of God comes upon us. At that time I posted;
Lu 24:49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.
Literally being surrounded by the Spirit of YHVH at a crucial time. This is way more than a figure of speech. I’ve experienced it.
Just my opinion but I think Paul was describing something very OT.
BTW The Apostle John seems to have just as much to say about being “in Christ” as Paul
Michael -let’s make it easy and close the door on “replacement theology.” It’s just as easy as closing the lid on your trash can. There is absolutely no Biblical basis for this. We (the Goy) are adopted into the covenant blessings of Abraham, are we are indeed the children of YHWH, but G-d is far from through with the Jewish people. I’m going to be brave here and step out to say – a Jew may be “completed”, but never “converted.” “Christ” is very Jewish. He was the son of a Jewish carpenter, with a Jewish mother, and lived His thirty three years in the land of Israel. He is David’s son and David’s King!
I have no doubt of my need for a Savior. This is my confession- for I know, I am a sinner and I know He is the atoning Sacrifice for my sins. I am (now) depending entirely upon His (accepted) and atoning sacrifice, His own blood shed for me at Calvary. But apparently not (as a general rule) the Jew. (Am I speaking of things I know nothing about?) What need do the Jews have of a Savior? of a Redeemer? Those who are whole have no need of a Physician,- only those who are sick. It has been said (and I believe it to be true)- you can’t be “saved” until you first realize you are “lost.” Even Yeshua himself said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5.32). So, step number one is for a man (any man) to come to an “awareness” of his guilty state or sinful condition before a thrice-holy G-d. Until then- what need is there for forgiveness?
This is so sad-
(John 1.1,12) He came to his own homeland, yet His own people did not receive Him. But to as many as did receive Him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, He gave the right to become children of God, not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God. The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw His Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. Yochanan witnessed concerning him when he cried out, “This is the man I was talking about when I said, `The one coming after me has come to rank ahead of me, because he existed before me.'” We have all received from His fullness, yes, grace upon grace. For the Torah was given through Moshe; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah. No one has ever seen God; but the only and unique Son, who is identical with God and is at the Father’s side — He has made him known.
Mat 7:28-29 And it happened, when Yahshua had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His doctrine. For He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
· |28| And it came about when Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach finished these divrei torah (words of teaching), the multitudes were filled with fear and wonder at his torah. |29| For his ministry of moreh (teacher) was as one having samchut (authority) and not as their Sofrim (scribes, torah teachers, Rabbonim). OJB
Yahshua is YVHV.
Amen to this, Carl.
what do i think? i think i’d like more study on ‘avad.’
me too Tommy- I hope this might be the sequel to Skip’s book on the ‘ezer. We, (us male types) are the servants. -Our place is to serve.
Avad – to serve
by Lois Tverberg
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ”
Colossians 3:23-24
OK – our statement did not mention Yeshua, so let’s leave him out of this. (Paul has his Christ contradict the Yeshua of the gospels so we must assume they are two different people!)
Could you provide some specifics on this “contradiction?” Christ and Yeshua aren’t the only names for our Savior/King. We could fill pages with His Name. -“In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.”
”In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.”
Hi Carl,
Did you ever see Marlon Brando in One-Eyed Jacks (1961) with Karl Malden as the bad guy?
The Brando character tends to have the same affect on me as Yeshua.
Always wandering around the desert alone with one “thing” on his mind.
And moving “against the grain” when he is not alone.
Speaking of Christ and Yeshua, in my view, Yeshua is the Man who calls himself Messiah (Christ).
There is no contradiction there that I can see.
Yeshua is the Master, the Man who has come to teach us how to “hit the mark.”
To hit the mark, you must focus your “cross hairs” on the target (Image of God).
The easiest way to focus your “cross hairs” is to shut both eyes.
Then focus your “third eye” on the center of the cross.
And meditate on your breath: in “yah,” out “weh” (Father); or in “hom,” out “bre” (Son).
The Indians from India tend to think of Om as the cosmic vibration and they mediate on it.
The Rabbis from Israel tend to think of Mem as the cosmic hum and they mediate on it.
I like to think that before you can focus on the Mem, the Da-leth (door) of perception must be open.
In my view, Yeshua refers to this “door of perception” (consciousness) as the “Lamp.”
Wow Michael!- that was really good!- thank you. I have often thought of the cross as the cross-hairs on the scope of a rifle. Isn’t it interesting the images YHWH parades before our minds.
Elohim is not out to hide Himself. He wants to be known. He wants us to follow Him and to walk in His ways. He has revealed these things to us in a very special book. It is His book- He is the Author. Yes, he did use “man” to write it, but look at the men He chose to do it! And this book, written by a plethora of authors over centuries of time is seamless and speaks to us,still today, in no uncertain terms of G-d’s pleasure to dwell among His people.
But in order to tighten the focus, here comes again, the image of the cross to my mind. The word sin in Hebrew is [chattath], from the root [chatta], and in Greek it is [hamartia]. “Both” (praise G-d) of these words mean ‘to miss the mark.’ They are words which illustrate that something is off target. With relationship to God’s laws, they mean that one has failed to meet the standard (missed the mark) set by God for us. God’s mark or standard is His law. Thus sin is the transgression of any of the laws of God. (any of them). Have I ever “missed the mark?” failed to “hit the target?”- come up short of the mark? And what is the center of the target anyway? What are we “aiming” for? -Perfection. We want, excuse me, G-d wants- perfection. We may strive for excellence in all that we do, say, and think. -But all of us fail.. (just ask my wife!). -Now fasten your seat belt, I have something to say that may shock those who are faint-hearted. — “I am a sinner.” (are you still there?). Thank you for remaining- there are those who would slam the door in my face; -but not so, my Savior.
Now how may I, (a self-confessed sinner) have any hope of relating to a thrice-holy G-d? I want to know Him for He has revealed Himself to be perfect, and this is what I strive for. Perfection. He is holy and my desire to be like Him- holy. Woah!,- wait a minute.. one minute I confess to be a sinner and then not three hundred words later, he’s talking about holiness! I try, and try, but I fall short of the mark. I just don’t “cut the mustard.” I don’t measure up. I fail to make the team. -Loser.
Am I left out? Am I doomed to a life of separation from the One who created me? From the very One who gives me my daily bread and breath?
Once again I pick up the gospel gun and look through the scope of time. I dial the scope to zero in on the target, carefully aligning the center of the cross, and rightly relating it to the desired target. It is only through this cross and by this cross I am able to hit dead center.
The cross of Christ gives me life. His death gives me life. His blood is an eternal atonement for my sin. Past, present and future, (praise G-d)- “paid in full.” Because of my transgressions, the payment was death, but Yeshua paid it all on His cross. He has (fully and freely) forgiven me. I am (now) today, a fully forgiven and finally free sinner. Am I now perfect? -No, He is. Am I forgiven? Absolutely, positively. I belong to the Shepherd. I have been bought with a price. Redeemed. Today, I serve a new Master. My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter. Jesus of Nazareth. Has there been a “change” in my life? – draw near, my friends and listen closely.- Yes.
It “eats me” for people to reject Yeshua as the Messiah. (Today must be confession day!)- what bothers Carl? for people (any people) to refuse the deliverance offered by (the still extended hand of) Yeshua.
Bob Dylan was absolutely spot on when he wrote- “You gotta Serve Somebody.” As for me and my house, we will serve (avad) the LORD. Who is the LORD that I should obey Him? I’m glad you asked Mr. Pharoah,- great question sir. I only wish you could have found the answer before you were on your way to the bottom of the sea.
What is it about Yeshua, that is so distasteful? So damning? “What evil hath He done?” (I find no fault in Him) -Please help me, -someone, -anyone, why are we saying “no” to Christ?
One good thing He has in his favor. He certainly isn’t “Greek!”- lol! Ok.- let’s start a “check list” for the promised Messiah- after all there were “only” three hundred prophecies concerning the Chosen One. Born of a virgin- check. (Should I walk this down?) One down- two hundred ninety nine to go..-
Maybe we should just stop with number one. This is not your normal way to be born. Is it? Right from the get-go, He enters our world- “differently”, “unexpectedly”, “surprisingly.”. Do you know anyone in your neighborhood who can claim to be virgin-born?
“No, this isn’t the Christ.” -How can we possibly say that? (I can’t.) He is LORD. Jesus is LORD.